Lightweight expansible overshoe



H. F. RCGERS LIGHTWEIGHT EXPANSIBLE OVERSHOE Filed Feb. 16, 1954 R w W W Wm M WT 10 w W M B mg I N i July '23, 1957 United States Patent LIGHTWEIGHT EXPANSIBLE OVERSHOE Harriette F. Rogers, Virginia Beach, Va.

Application February 16, 1954, Serial No. 410,670

1 Claim. (Cl. 36-71) This invention relates to overshoes. One object is to provide an inexpensive lightweight overshoe suitable for covering a childs shoe to protect automobile upholstery, clothing and the like from mud or dirt on said shoe. Another object is to provide an overshoe which will fit shoes varying somewhat in size. Other objects will become apparent from the following description and the appended drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows an overshoe made in accordance with my invention in place on a shoe;

Figure 2 shows the same embodiment to slightly smaller scale removed from the shoe and spread or expanded to the shape it would assume on a larger shoe;

Figures 3, 4, and 5 show the parts from which the overshoe of Figures 1 and 2 is made, to slightly smaller scale than Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view, illustrating a portion of the upper portion of the overshoe gathered and sewed to the sole;

Figure 7 is a view in section substantially along line 7-7 of Figure 2, to larger scale;

Figure 8 is a view in section substantially along line 88 of Figure 6, to larger scale.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like characters refer to similar parts, there is shown one embodiment of my invention comprising an overshoe, generally designated 10, which has a sole 11, an upper gathered portion 12, and an elastic top 13.

Sole 11 and upper portion 12 are preferably made of thin, flexible, waterproof or water-repellent material, but may be made of other suitable materials. If desired, these two parts may be made of different materials, for example, the sole may be made of heavier material.

Figure 3 shows the piece A from which the sole 11 is made. Extending around the sole in Figure 3, but inside the outer edge thereof, there is indicated in broken lines -a perimeter 14 which indicates the line along which the upper portion 12 is to be sewed or otherwise fastened. Outwardly from perimeter 14 is a seam portion 15.

Figure 4 shows the long, narrow piece B from which upper portion 12 is fashioned. Broken line 16 indicates the lower border or line along which upper portion 12 is fastened to sole 11. Below lower border 16 is a seam portion 17. It will be noted that the central portion 18 of piece B is wider than the end portions 19 and 19. Portion 18 forms the front of the top portion 12 of the fabricated overshoe while ends 19 and 19 are joined to form the back of the top portion 12. Seam portions are provided adjacent ends 19 and 19', but no seam is necessary along top edge 20. Piece B is substantially longer than perimeter 14 to provide for gathering upper portion 12, as will be explained below. Preferably, piece B is at least fifty percent longer than the perimeter of piece A in order to provide the desired fullness.

Figure 5 shows piece C which is an elastic strip used to fashion elastic top 13.

iatented July 23, 1957 In fabricating overshoe 10, the bottom or seam portion 17 of piece B is gathered and attached to sole piece A, as indicated in Figure 8, as by stitching 21, with lower border 16 attached along perimeter 14 and portion 18 at the front; the ends 19 land 19' being joined at the back, as by stitching .at 22. Top edge 20 is then gathered While top piece C is fastened thereto to form elastic top 13.

As indicated above, I prefer to use a thin, transparent, flexible waterproof and relatively tough sheet material of plastic composition for both piece A and piece B, and to fabricate the overshoe by sewing. This material and method of fabricating are inexpensive. The material has little or no stretch or elasticity, but the pleats or gathers provide ample fullness to accommodate shoes somewhat larger or smaller than the size for which made.

It will be understood that other suitable materials may be used for pieces A and B, and that a drawstring arrangement may be used around the top instead of the elastic C. The gathers in upper portion 12 are preferably uncreased pleats as shown in the drawings, but may, if desired, be formed or creased plaits instead. It is also preferred that the upper and lower edges of upper portion 12 be gathered continuously, all around, but if desired, the gathering may be non-continuous or irregular, for example with more gathering around the toe portion to give more fullness in this portion.

It will also be understood that parts A, B and C may be joined by means other than stitching, for example, by the use of adhesive bonding; or both stitching and adhesive bonding may be used.

Other modifications within the spirit of the invention may be made within the scope of the appended claim.

It will be apparent that I have provided an improved lightweight overshoe and "an economical method of making the same.

I claim as my invention:

An exp'ansible overshoe comprising an inelastic sole piece, a top spaced above said sole piece, said top comprising a continuous elastic ring of substantially elliptical shape, an upper comprising a separate piece of flexible substantially non-elastic material extending uninterruptedly in a complete annular form between said sole piece and said ring where it is attached respectively thereto, said upper having pleats therein formed uniformly all around said upper and extending from said sole piece to said ring, said pleats being formed by zigzag overlap of said upper piece at and all around said ring and at :and all around said sole piece whereby the upper of the overshoe is adapted to expand freely all around said overshoe both at said elastic ring and in the region of the entire margin of the sole when being slipped over a shoe and contracts uniformly upon the shoe after having been slipped thereover, said elastic ring pulling the upper ends of the pleats back into their original form after the expansible overshoe is slipped over the shoe.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 992,221 Loewenbach May 16, 1911 1,118,130 Hosmer Nov. 24, 1914 1,140,193 Shinn May 18, 1915 1,602,101 Conrow Oct. 5, 1926 2,215,135 Schulte Sept. 17, 1940 2,427,882 Schulte Sept. 23, 1947 2,544,264 Howard Mar. 6, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 449,969 Great Britain July 8, 1936 

